The Sharon Osbourne Show
Encyclopedia
The Sharon Osbourne Show refers to either of two TV chat shows hosted by Sharon Osbourne
– the original US version, or the more recent UK (ITV
) version. These are described separately below.
show that ran for one season (2003
–2004
) on various US channels. It was also shown in the UK on Sky One
and on cable channel ARENA in Australia. The show was eventually canceled due to poor ratings
and scathing attacks by critics as being too focused on Osbourne's family. Due to a disappointing array of guests including several little known actors, actresses and country music performers, Osbourne opted not to renew her contract.
commissioned the show to compete with rival Paul O'Grady
, after he defected from the company and took his show to Channel 4
. After a strong debut of 2.1 million viewers, the show's audience fell to 1–1.5 million, beaten by strong competition from the likes of The New Paul O'Grady Show, The Weakest Link
and Neighbours
. On 12 October, the show's hope of a recommission suffered as it reached a new low of 948,000 viewers. In April 2007 it was confirmed that the show had been axed and Antony Cotton
was to be her replacement. Sharon admitted on Parkinson
that doing the show had been hard work.
Sharon Osbourne
Sharon Rachel Osbourne is an English television host, author, music manager, businesswoman and promoter as well as the wife of heavy metal singer-songwriter Ozzy Osbourne....
– the original US version, or the more recent UK (ITV
ITV
ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
) version. These are described separately below.
US version (2003–04)
The original version of The Sharon Osbourne Show was a syndicatedTelevision syndication
In broadcasting, syndication is the sale of the right to broadcast radio shows and television shows by multiple radio stations and television stations, without going through a broadcast network, though the process of syndication may conjure up structures like those of a network itself, by its very...
show that ran for one season (2003
2003 in television
The year 2003 in television involved some significant events.Below is a list of television-related events in 2003.For the American TV schedule, see: 2003-04 United States network television schedule.-Events:-Debuts:-1940s:...
–2004
2004 in television
The year 2004 in television involved some significant events.Below is a list of television-related events in 2004.For the American TV schedule, see: 2004–05 United States network television schedule.-Events:-Debuts:-1940s:...
) on various US channels. It was also shown in the UK on Sky One
Sky One
Sky1 is the flagship BSkyB entertainment channel available in the United Kingdom and Ireland.The channel first launched on 26 April 1982 as Satellite Television, and is the fourth-oldest TV channel in the United Kingdom, behind BBC One , ITV and BBC Two...
and on cable channel ARENA in Australia. The show was eventually canceled due to poor ratings
Nielsen Ratings
Nielsen ratings are the audience measurement systems developed by Nielsen Media Research, in an effort to determine the audience size and composition of television programming in the United States...
and scathing attacks by critics as being too focused on Osbourne's family. Due to a disappointing array of guests including several little known actors, actresses and country music performers, Osbourne opted not to renew her contract.
UK version (2006)
The UK version of The Sharon Osbourne Show aired on ITV in the weekday 5pm slot, and it began on Tuesday 29 August 2006. It was originally going to be named Mrs. Osbourne Presents... ITVITV
ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
commissioned the show to compete with rival Paul O'Grady
Paul O'Grady
Paul James Michael O'Grady MBE is an English comedian, television presenter, actor, writer and radio DJ. He is best known for presenting the daytime chat television series, The Paul O'Grady Show and, more recently, Paul O'Grady Live, as well as his drag queen comedic alter ego, Lily Savage, as...
, after he defected from the company and took his show to Channel 4
Channel 4
Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began working on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority , the station is now owned and operated by the Channel...
. After a strong debut of 2.1 million viewers, the show's audience fell to 1–1.5 million, beaten by strong competition from the likes of The New Paul O'Grady Show, The Weakest Link
The Weakest Link
The Weakest Link is a television game show which first appeared in the United Kingdom on BBC Two on 14 August 2000 and will end its run in 2012 when its host Anne Robinson ends her contract. The original British version of the show airs around the world on BBC Entertainment...
and Neighbours
Neighbours
Neighbours is an Australian television soap opera first broadcast on the Seven Network on 18 March 1985. It was created by TV executive Reg Watson, who proposed the idea of making a show that focused on realistic stories and portrayed adults and teenagers who talk openly and solve their problems...
. On 12 October, the show's hope of a recommission suffered as it reached a new low of 948,000 viewers. In April 2007 it was confirmed that the show had been axed and Antony Cotton
Antony Cotton
Antony Cotton is an English actor and singer best known for his roles in Coronation Street and the original UK version of Queer as Folk.-Early and personal life:...
was to be her replacement. Sharon admitted on Parkinson
Parkinson (TV series)
Parkinson is a British television talk show that was presented by Sir Michael Parkinson. It was first shown on the BBC from 1971 to 2004, and on ITV from 2004 to 2007.-Background:...
that doing the show had been hard work.